Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rovio marks one billion downloads, untold pig casualties across Angry Birds games]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/rovio-marks-one-billion-downloads-untold-pig-casualties-across/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/rovio-marks-one-billion-downloads-untold-pig-casualties-across/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/rovio-marks-one-billion-downloads-untold-pig-casualties-across/#comments Rovio marks one billion downloads, untold pig casualties across Angry Birds games

Yeah, yeah, we all knew that Rovio was doing gangbusters with Angry Birds series, but here's a little number to put it all into perspective: one billion. That's how many times the slingshotting birds have been downloaded, when you add up all of the titles and all of the platforms. Naturally, the company made a video to celebrate the accomplishment. You can find it after the break.

[Image credit (McDonald's Sign): Alexis Bea / Flickr]

Continue reading Rovio marks one billion downloads, untold pig casualties across Angry Birds games

Rovio marks one billion downloads, untold pig casualties across Angry Birds games originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdsappappscasual gamescasual gamingCasualGamesCasualGamingdownloaddownloadsminipostroviosmartphoneWed, 09 May 2012 12:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia announces string of new Lumia app partnerships at CTIA]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/nokia-announces-new-lumia-app-partnerships-at-ctia/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/nokia-announces-new-lumia-app-partnerships-at-ctia/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/nokia-announces-new-lumia-app-partnerships-at-ctia/#comments Nokia announces string of new Lumia app partnerships at CTIA

CTIA is gaining momentum, and Nokia has just announced a slew of new app partnerships for its Lumia line at the show. Sports fans can look forward to PGA Tour, a dedicated app to cover the golfing action, while the ESPN sports hub will get a series of updates, plus an exclusive Lumia-only Fantasy Football app in autumn. Gamers will get new treats from EA -- including FIFA, NBA Jam and more -- and Rovio, which is creating a dedicated development team to create titles for Nokia Windows phones. Other notable names on the list to either get a new app or an update include Groupon, PayPal, Time, NewsWeek and more. Be sure to poke the source link for the full list.

Nokia announces string of new Lumia app partnerships at CTIA originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappsctiactia2012ctiawireless2012EAespngrouponlumiamobilepostcrossnokianokia lumiaNokiaLumiapartnershippay palPayPalroviotimeTue, 08 May 2012 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space hits 50 million milestone, smashes it, crushes pigs in the process]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/30/angry-birds-space-50-million-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/30/angry-birds-space-50-million-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/30/angry-birds-space-50-million-downloads/#comments Angry Birds Space hits 50 million milestone, smashes it, crushes pig in the process

It helps to be free on the fastest-growing mobile platform, but that shouldn't draw all the attention away from Rovio's latest announcement. It's space-based reinvention of Angry Birds has now topped 50 million downloads in under 35 days, breaking its (and presumably everyone else's) record for mobile game downloads. In Rovios's own way, it recently thanked eager gamers for their consistent downloading support by slathering ten additional levels on both the iOS and Android version last week.

Angry Birds Space hits 50 million milestone, smashes it, crushes pigs in the process originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50 million50MillionAndroidangry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappdownloadsgamegamingiOSmobilepostcrossrecordRoviospaceMon, 30 Apr 2012 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Playbook joins the Angry Birds Space bandwagon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/24/blackberry-playbook-joins-the-angry-birds-space-bandwagon/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/24/blackberry-playbook-joins-the-angry-birds-space-bandwagon/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/24/blackberry-playbook-joins-the-angry-birds-space-bandwagon/#comments Image

To the surprise of no one, Angry Birds Space has ballooned into a casual gaming phenomenon -- a feat that Rovio has somehow managed without the aid of a BlackBerry PlayBook audience. RIM announced today, however, that fans of its deeply discounted tablet can now hop on board the train to space pig payback, for the low, low price of $3, that is, unless you're saving up for that 4G version we've been hearing about...

BlackBerry Playbook joins the Angry Birds Space bandwagon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceblackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookminipostResearch In MotionResearchInMotionrimrovioTue, 24 Apr 2012 16:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Shigeru Miyamoto admits he's a fan of Angry Birds, just like the rest of us]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/shigeru-miyamoto-angry-birds/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/shigeru-miyamoto-angry-birds/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/shigeru-miyamoto-angry-birds/#comments Miyamoto likes Angry BirdsMario and Zelda (amongst others) creator Shigeru Miyamoto was in Paris to promote the launch of the Nintendo 3DS as a guide in the Louvre. While company executives have previously dismissed and decried smartphone gaming, Miyamoto was asked about his favorite non-Nintendo game and for the first time, admitted that Angry Birds is his favorite. He said that he can tell Rovio is "having fun developing the game" and that it has a "very creative side," that was "inspiring us to try even harder, and create even more unexpected new things." Except for those moments when he steps into the hallway for a spot of pig-smashing, as you do.

Shigeru Miyamoto admits he's a fan of Angry Birds, just like the rest of us originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angry BirdsAngryBirdsBusinessGames IndustryGamesIndustryHandheld GamingHandheldGamingLouvreMobile GamingMobileGamingmobilepostcrossNintendo 3DSNintendo 3DS LouvreNintendo3dsNintendo3dsLouvreParisRovioShigeru MiyamotoShigeruMiyamotoThu, 12 Apr 2012 12:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Rovio acquires Futuremark Game Studios, seeks a life less poultry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/rovio-acquires-futuremark-game-studios-seeks-a-life-less-poultr/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/rovio-acquires-futuremark-game-studios-seeks-a-life-less-poultr/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/rovio-acquires-futuremark-game-studios-seeks-a-life-less-poultr/#comments ImageIn what's likely a proactive bid to prevent its one-note franchise from crashing down into unpopular orbit, Rovio's spreading its wings beyond that flock of malcontent fowl and adding to its in-house development team. Helping further speed its forward merchandising momentum is the Finnish company's recent acquisition of Futuremark Game Studios -- formerly an offshoot of benchmarking outfit Futuremark. The small developer, while nowhere near as successful as its new parent company, has a trio of titles, like Hungribles and Unstoppable Gorg, currently available across the iOS, PC and Xbox platforms. No word on what projects the studio will be tasked with under this new regime, but it's a safe bet Angry Birds Rotisserie won't be on the schedule.

Rovio acquires Futuremark Game Studios, seeks a life less poultry originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionAngry BirdsAngryBirdsFuturemark Game StudiosFuturemarkGameStudiosgamingmobilepostminiRoviostudioTue, 27 Mar 2012 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space hits 10 million mark in three days]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/angry-birds-10-million-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/angry-birds-10-million-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/angry-birds-10-million-downloads/#comments Angry Birds Space hits 10 million mark in three days

In its opening weekend (give or take a day or two) Rovio's space-based reinvention has picked up more than 10 million downloads. Presumably assisted by its freebie status on Android devices, Rovio's self-congratulatory tweet didn't give a breakdown across platforms. While we're now assured that a Windows Phone version will join the intergalactic fight, Rovio doesn't appear to need the help.

Angry Birds Space hits 10 million mark in three days originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 million10Millionandroidangry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappAppleappsdownloadsgamegamesiOSminipostmobile gamemobile gamingMobileGameMobileGamingroviosalesMon, 26 Mar 2012 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space won't land on Windows Phone, Redmond gets no stars (Updated: OK, maybe it will)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/angry-birds-space-wont-land-on-windows-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/angry-birds-space-wont-land-on-windows-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/angry-birds-space-wont-land-on-windows-phone/#comments While no doubt swathes of Android and iOS users have experienced massive productivity slumps since Angry Birds Space came out this week, Windows Phone owners will be left staring at their spreadsheets. Peter Vesterbacka, chief marketing officer, at Rovio has told Bloomberg that there are no plans to release the latest iteration of the popular time sink on Microsoft's mobile platform. Despite the original game still being the most popular app in the Marketplace, Vesterbacka claims that "...it's a big undertaking to support it, and you have to completely rewrite the application." So, until a Series 40 version is confirmed, you bird slingin' Nokia fans will just have to wait.

Update: It seems as if Mr. Vesterbacka misspoke, or his comments were taken our of context. Rovio's CEO, Mikael Hed, told Reuters that "we are working towards getting Angry Birds Space to WP7," though there is no time frame set for the release yet.

[Thanks, Timothy]

Angry Birds Space won't land on Windows Phone, Redmond gets no stars (Updated: OK, maybe it will) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappappsgamegamesMicrosoftmobilepostmininokiarovioWindowswindows phoneWindowsPhonewinphoFri, 23 Mar 2012 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq: Your mother-in-law is going to love Angry Birds Space]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/joystiq-reviews-angry-birds-space/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/joystiq-reviews-angry-birds-space/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/joystiq-reviews-angry-birds-space/#comments ImageRovio's furious fowl have fought menacing swine on traditional battlefields, foreign fronts and even through seasonal holidays -- outer space was obviously the next logical step. In case you somehow haven't heard, Angry Birds Space sees casual gaming's most perturbed feathered heroes escaping terra firma to, as always, reclaim their stolen eggs. Joystiq describes the title as a tweaked, but familiar affair with a new twist that literally changes the gravity of the situation -- challenging players with inventive stages built around planetoids that divert and redirect the birds' trajectories. Sure, it might not resurrect a dead horse, but the new mechanic, they said, is probably enough to keep your in-laws entertained. Hit the source link below check out Joystiq's full review.

Joystiq: Your mother-in-law is going to love Angry Birds Space originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazonandroidangry birdsAngry Birds SpaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappAppleappsaustingamegamesGoogleiOSiPadiPhonejoystiqMacMicrosoftmobilepostcrossreviewroviovideoWindowsThu, 22 Mar 2012 22:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space now available for download, pigs will fly]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/angry-birds-space-now-available-for-download-pigs-fly/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/angry-birds-space-now-available-for-download-pigs-fly/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/angry-birds-space-now-available-for-download-pigs-fly/#comments Angry Birds Space now available for download, pigs flyRejoice, casual gamers -- Angry Birds Space has landed! Rovio's latest game -- which we recently took for a spin on Samsung's Galaxy Note LTE at SXSW -- frees itself from the earth's gravitational pull to explore the final frontier. We've gathered download links to all the major platforms below for your epic birds vs. pigs entertainment. Aren't space physics fun?Update: Video and PR after the break.

Continue reading Angry Birds Space now available for download, pigs will fly

Angry Birds Space now available for download, pigs will fly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazonandroidangry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappAppleappsaustingamegamesGoogleiOSiPadiPhoneMacMicrosoftmobilepostcrossroviovideoWindowsThu, 22 Mar 2012 04:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with Angry Birds Space at SXSW (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/hands-on-with-angry-birds-space-at-sxsw-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/hands-on-with-angry-birds-space-at-sxsw-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/hands-on-with-angry-birds-space-at-sxsw-video/#comments Hands-on with Angry Birds Space at SXSW (video)All work and no play makes even the hottest smartphone downright dull. It's with this in mind that Samsung is showcasing Rovio's latest creation, Angry Birds Space, running on the Galaxy Note at SXSW in Austin, Texas. We took a moment to get our feisty paws on the demo, which showcases the weightless, space-like trajectories that players must contend with in the game. Exclusive to the Galaxy Note, users will find a bonus level of play, in addition to the free Danger Zone add-on -- a collection of 30 levels that'll be available to the masses as an in-app purchase. If you haven't been keeping score, the game will make its official debut on March 22nd. So what're you waiting for? Hop the break for the PR and watch as we take revenge on those fiendish pigs!

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Gallery: Samsung and Rovio at SXSW 2012

Continue reading Hands-on with Angry Birds Space at SXSW (video)

Hands-on with Angry Birds Space at SXSW (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappappsattaustingalaxy notegalaxy note lteGalaxyNoteGalaxyNoteLtegamegameshands-onmobilepostcrossroviosamsungsamsung galaxy notesamsung galaxy note lteSamsungGalaxyNoteSamsungGalaxyNoteLtesmartphonesmartphonessxswsxsw 2012Sxsw2012videoFri, 09 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space gameplay gets revealed -- briefly (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/angry-birds-space-gameplay-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/angry-birds-space-gameplay-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/angry-birds-space-gameplay-video/#comments

We've already gleaned that the extra-terrestrial edition of Angry Birds will involve some sort of gameplay departure from the add-on style of previous versions, but gameplay-wise there's been less information. Fortunately, makers Rovio has now leaked out a very brief taster in its lastest video. You'll have to skip to the three-minute marker, but you'll get a glimpse at some anti-gravity avians, bubbles, explosions and atmosphere re-entries. Take a look for yourself after the break.

[Thanks Ville]

Continue reading Angry Birds Space gameplay gets revealed -- briefly (video)

Angry Birds Space gameplay gets revealed -- briefly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpaceappbirdsgamegameplayminipostNASARoviospaceThu, 08 Mar 2012 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Make Angry Birds awesome again with DIY slingshot controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/make-angry-birds-awesome-again-with-diy-slingshot-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/make-angry-birds-awesome-again-with-diy-slingshot-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/make-angry-birds-awesome-again-with-diy-slingshot-controller/#comments Slingshot ControllerLook, we're as tired of Angry Birds as you are -- the phenomena has certainly run its course. But, if we had Simon Ford's home-made slingshot controller, we might still be addicted to hurling the pissed-off poultry through the air. The DIY peripheral is built around an mbed microcontroller, three-axis accelerometer and a stretch sensor. Pinching and pulling the band initiates a click and drag, while the position of the slingshot itself determines the angle of launch. It's not the easiest gaming controller hack we've ever seen but, if you can follow directions, you could build your own courtesy of the instructions at the source link. If you're a little too intimidated to try it yourself, check out the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Make Angry Birds awesome again with DIY slingshot controller

Make Angry Birds awesome again with DIY slingshot controller originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdscontrollercortex M0CortexM0DIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfgaming controllerGamingControllermbedrovioSimon FordSimonFordSlingshotslingshot controllerSlingshotControllerusb slingshot controllerUsbSlingshotControllerWed, 29 Feb 2012 12:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space to launch on Samsung's Galaxy Note (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/angry-birds-space-to-launch-on-samsungs-galaxy-note-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/angry-birds-space-to-launch-on-samsungs-galaxy-note-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/angry-birds-space-to-launch-on-samsungs-galaxy-note-video/#comments Rovio described the upcoming Angry Birds Space as its biggest launch since the original game, but has been coy about platform details until now, as Samsung has revealed it's launching on the Galaxy Note. We're not sure how the phablet's 5-inch (or possible 10.1-inch) display comes into play, but the extra area can't hurt. Other than the "Houston... we have a slingshot" tagline there's not many other details revealed, but if you're (still) obsessed with taking down those pigs once and for all then press play on the teaser video above.

Continue reading Angry Birds Space to launch on Samsung's Galaxy Note (video)

Angry Birds Space to launch on Samsung's Galaxy Note (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpacegalaxy noteGalaxyNotegamingmarch 22March22mobile world congress 2012mobilepostminiMobileWorldCongress2012mwc 2012Mwc2012roviosamsungslingshotvideoMon, 27 Feb 2012 01:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Space announced for March 22nd release, NASA and National Geographic lending a hand]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/angry-birds-space-announced-for-march-22nd-release-nasa-and-nat/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/angry-birds-space-announced-for-march-22nd-release-nasa-and-nat/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/angry-birds-space-announced-for-march-22nd-release-nasa-and-nat/#comments
Angry Birds has spawned countless ports and two sorta-sequels, but Rovio has now announced what it's describing as its biggest launch since the original game. Angry Birds Space will be released on March 22nd, and the company has enlisted NASA and National Geographic as launch partners for the game (exactly what that entails is still unclear, though). As you can probably guess, the hook this time around will be some new physics to deal with, including zero gravity and a new "lightspeed destruction" feature, but details on the game itself otherwise remain a bit light, including any specific word on supported platforms. Rovio is apparently planning a big push at launch though, with a simultaneous rollout planned across "mobile gaming, animation, retail, and publishing." It's also promising to reveal more details ahead of that in early March.

Continue reading Angry Birds Space announced for March 22nd release, NASA and National Geographic lending a hand

Angry Birds Space announced for March 22nd release, NASA and National Geographic lending a hand originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds spaceAngryBirdsAngryBirdsSpacegamegamingmobilepostcrossroviospacevideoFri, 17 Feb 2012 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[February 14th is Valen... Angry Birds day]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/angry-birds-facebook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/angry-birds-facebook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/angry-birds-facebook/#comments Forget poking: from February 14th, show you love someone by flinging a mis-tempered avian toward them. It's Valentines Day that Angry Birds will finally arrive on the ubiquitous social network -- just in time to ensure half the coupled population of the world misses its dinner reservation, in order to get past one more level. The basic game will be free, but upgrades like the Mighty Eagle, double-sized birds, an earthquake weapon and a max-strength catapult will cost you. It'll be launched in Jakarta around the same time you offer up that heart-shaped box of chocolates, so if you want to ensure the day remains romantic, we'd suggest waiting until the 15th before installing.

Continue reading February 14th is Valen... Angry Birds day

February 14th is Valen... Angry Birds day originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angry BirdsAngryBirdsAppAppsFacebookFacebook AppFacebook AppsFacebookAppFacebookAppsJakartaRovioThe Social NetworkTheSocialNetworkValentines DayValentinesDayFri, 27 Jan 2012 00:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds to ride Russian rockets into space, follow iPads bound for bored cosmonauts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/angry-birds-to-ride-russian-rockets-into-space-follow-ipads-bou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/angry-birds-to-ride-russian-rockets-into-space-follow-ipads-bou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/26/angry-birds-to-ride-russian-rockets-into-space-follow-ipads-bou/#comments Slingshots and unbridled rage might be enough to launch Rovio's furious fowl across the battlefield, but they'll need some outside help if they hope to break free of Earth's atmosphere -- it's time to call the cosmonauts. Two upcoming Russian space launches are scheduled to ferry a pair of iPads and a plush Angry Birds toy to the International Space Station. The twin tablets will fly on an unmanned resupply vehicle early next week, and the irritated avian is playing the part of a jocular gravity indicator in a manned mission next month -- part of a russian tradition of hanging a toy by a string to signal when the vessel has escaped the Earth's gravity. NASA told collectSPACE that the iPads are only slated for recreational purposes, but mentioned that various tablets were being evaluated for future use. The plush bird? It's coming home; cosmonaut Shkaplerov's five year old daughter can't be expected to give up her toys forever, can she?

Filed under:

Angry Birds to ride Russian rockets into space, follow iPads bound for bored cosmonauts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angry BirdsAngryBirdsangye foxAngyeFoxapplecosmonautsinternational space stationInternationalSpaceStationipadipad2ipadsISSNASAouter spaceOuterSpaceplushieplushiesRoviospacetoysWed, 26 Oct 2011 22:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds lands on Windows Phone 7, ready to explore the third ecosystem]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/angry-birds-lands-on-windows-phone-7-ready-to-explore-the-third/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/angry-birds-lands-on-windows-phone-7-ready-to-explore-the-third/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/angry-birds-lands-on-windows-phone-7-ready-to-explore-the-third/#comments Nowadays, you can't really claim to have a mobile OS worthy of the title if your users can't run Angry Birds on it. Good news from Microsoft, then, as Windows Phone 7 can finally be admitted at the grown-up table now that it has released its port of Rovio's epic bird-launching experience. $2.99 is the Marketplace price for the full version, though there's also the option to try out the first few levels for free. Because, you know, there might still be people out there who haven't yet been exposed to the charms of this perniciously addictive little game.

Continue reading Angry Birds lands on Windows Phone 7, ready to explore the third ecosystem

Angry Birds lands on Windows Phone 7, ready to explore the third ecosystem originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdsappapplicationgamegameslaunchmarketplacemicrosoftmobile gamingMobileGamingroviovideovideo gamesVideoGameswindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp7Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Life-size Angry Birds comes with giant slingshot, more realistic explosive death (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/life-size-angry-birds-comes-with-giant-slingshot-more-realistic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/life-size-angry-birds-comes-with-giant-slingshot-more-realistic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/life-size-angry-birds-comes-with-giant-slingshot-more-realistic/#comments
Angry Birds was designed to be played on a device that fits in your pocket, so playing the game projected on a wall doesn't exactly feel natural. Throw a life-size slingshot into the mix, though, and things really get zany. The slingshot was on hand at the University of Queensland (Australia) last night, and had apparently been "months in the making." Details are scant, so we're not sure exactly how the slingshot communicates with the game, but however it works, it appears able to do its thing fairly well -- with only a brief delay after release. This slingshot appearance may be a one-time deal, so if you want to try flicking the bird on the big screen, Angry Birds for Chrome (and a mouse) may be your best option for now.

Continue reading Life-size Angry Birds comes with giant slingshot, more realistic explosive death (video)

Life-size Angry Birds comes with giant slingshot, more realistic explosive death (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdsaustraliagamegamingmighty eagleMightyEaglequeenslandroviosoftwareuniversity of queenslandUniversityOfQueenslandvideovideo gameVideoGameThu, 02 Jun 2011 06:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Roku brings casual gaming to its internet TV platform starting with Angry Birds this summer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/roku-brings-casual-gaming-to-its-internet-tv-platform-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/roku-brings-casual-gaming-to-its-internet-tv-platform-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/roku-brings-casual-gaming-to-its-internet-tv-platform-starting/#comments Roku's line of boxes have come a long way from being used only to stream Netflix, and now the company has announced a plan to take its talents to casual gaming. Naturally, the first app out of the gate this summer will be the wildly popular and increasingly ubiquitous Angry Birds. There's not a lot of details available yet and while we're told the gaming experience will be available on a new player launching this summer, whether or not the existing Roku hardware will get any gaming action remains to be seen. Roku CEO Anthony Wood is very excited about the company's gaming prospects saying "Just as we were the first to enable Netflix to stream instantly to the TV, we intend to be the catalyst for transforming the way people play casual games-starting with Angry Birds-on the biggest screen in the home". While we wouldn't bet against the upstart media streamer maker, it may be a bit tougher to compete with Xbox 360, PS3 and whatever Nintendo has up its sleeve on their native turf.

Update: Thanks to Dan Rayburn, Anthony Wood has confirmed Angry Birds will not run on existing players. In the inaugural post on the Roku Blog, he mentioned "some of the new games will require more horsepower".

Continue reading Roku brings casual gaming to its internet TV platform starting with Angry Birds this summer

Roku brings casual gaming to its internet TV platform starting with Angry Birds this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 01:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdscasual gamingCasualGamingmedia streamerMediaStreamerplayerrokurovioset-top boxSet-topBoxsummerWed, 01 Jun 2011 01:27:00 EST<![CDATA[NFC-enabled Angry Birds Magic gets demoed, dares you to find another C7 owner]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/nfc-enabled-angry-birds-magic-gets-demoed-dares-you-to-find-ano/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/nfc-enabled-angry-birds-magic-gets-demoed-dares-you-to-find-ano/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/nfc-enabled-angry-birds-magic-gets-demoed-dares-you-to-find-ano/#comments
Okay, so maybe it's not that hard to find another Earthling with a C7, but let's be honest -- finding someone with a Nexus S is entirely more likely. For now, however, it seems as if Angry Birds Magic will be reserved for the aforementioned Nokia handset, and while we already heard of its NFC-enabled tricks, seeing it in action is another thing entirely. Our pals over at Netbook News were able to snag a quick demonstration at the MeeGo Conference, and it seemed to work exactly as advertised: tap two phones together, and five new levels are gained. Do it with another C7, and you'll score another batch of never-before-seen trials and tribulations. Have a look for yourself above, won't you?

NFC-enabled Angry Birds Magic gets demoed, dares you to find another C7 owner originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds magicAngryBirdsAngryBirdsMagicc7demogamingmeegomeego conferencemeego conference 2011MeegoConferenceMeegoConference2011near field communicationNearFieldCommunicationnokianokia c7NokiaC7roviovideoMon, 30 May 2011 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds gets a web version, coming to Chrome Web Store]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/angry-birds-gets-a-web-version-in-google-chrome/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/angry-birds-gets-a-web-version-in-google-chrome/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/angry-birds-gets-a-web-version-in-google-chrome/#comments Yet another platform has been conquered by the affronted fowl: the web! Angry Birds' web client is built in WebGL, so presumably browsers other than Google's Chrome should be able to run it as well, and even if you can't handle WebGL, there's Canvas support too. 60fps are promised on most modern PCs, and we've spotted SD and HD labels, suggesting there'll be a choice of quality to match your computer's performance. Offline gaming will also be available.

Chrome will get some exclusive content, such as "Chrome bombs" and other cutesy bits. Rovio just noted it's "really, really happy about the 5 percent," referring to Google's pricing model of charging a flat fee of 5 percent to developers on in-app purchases in the Chrome Web Store. Yes, the Mighty Eagle will be a purchasable option for the impatient among you. The game will be available in the Store immediately after Google's I/O 2011 keynote, so look out for it shortly.

Update: And the Angry Birds have landed. Hit up the source link below to obtain the free app.

Gallery: Angry Birds for Chrome

Angry Birds gets a web version, coming to Chrome Web Store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 May 2011 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdsbreaking newsbrowsercanvaschromechrome web storeChromeWebStoreeventgamegaminggooglegoogle chromegoogle iogoogle io 2011GoogleChromeGoogleIoGoogleIo2011in-app purchasesIn-appPurchasesin-browserio 2011Io2011keynotemighty eagleMightyEagleroviosoftwarevideo gameVideoGameweb clientWebClientwebglWed, 11 May 2011 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[NFC version of Angry Birds coming to the Nokia C7 as part of the Symbian Anna update]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/nfc-version-of-angry-birds-coming-to-the-nokia-c7-as-part-of-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/nfc-version-of-angry-birds-coming-to-the-nokia-c7-as-part-of-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/nfc-version-of-angry-birds-coming-to-the-nokia-c7-as-part-of-the/#comments
Those angry birds just keep on coming. Weeks after announcing a spin-off exclusive to Amazon's App Store, Rovio is previewing a version indigenous to Nokia handsets -- specifically, those with Near Field Communication chips. Angry Birds Free with Magic (how's that for a mouthful?) includes five "normal" levels, along with 15 others that players unlock by tapping their phones together. In total, you'll need three friends with cutting-edge phones, as each one helps unlock five levels. Oddly, though, Angry Birds continues to be a single-player game, even after you've joined forces with your buddies to help each other advance. For now, it'll be available to C7 owners as part of the upcoming Symbian Anna update, though other Nokia handsets with NFC chips will get the game this year. Rovio also says it's working on a full version, which will be available in the Ovi store. For now, you can head on past the break to see a short video of some cartoon phones and cell-shaded piggies.

Continue reading NFC version of Angry Birds coming to the Nokia C7 as part of the Symbian Anna update

NFC version of Angry Birds coming to the Nokia C7 as part of the Symbian Anna update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsangry birds free with magicAngryBirdsAngryBirdsFreeWithMagicannamobilemobile gamesmobile gamingMobileGamesMobileGamingnfcnokianokia c7NokiaC7oviovi storeOviStoreroviosymbianWed, 20 Apr 2011 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Rio will be exclusive to Amazon Appstore on Android launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/angry-birds-rio-will-be-exclusive-to-amazon-appstore-on-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/angry-birds-rio-will-be-exclusive-to-amazon-appstore-on-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/angry-birds-rio-will-be-exclusive-to-amazon-appstore-on-android/#comments Think you'll be heading to the Android Market to get your next fix of Rovio Mobile's insanely popular Angry Birds? Think again. The next installment in the aviary vengeance saga, Angry Birds Rio, will launch exclusively on Amazon's upcoming Appstore for Android. That does sound like it will eventually achieve universal distribution via the Market, but in the interim Amazon has scored a pretty big scoop in its efforts to attract users to its own app repository. We're also promised the Appstore is launching "very soon" and Amazon has just inaugurated an @amazonappstore account on Twitter to keep us abreast of when precisely that will happen.

Continue reading Angry Birds Rio will be exclusive to Amazon Appstore on Android launch

Angry Birds Rio will be exclusive to Amazon Appstore on Android launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon appstoreAmazonAppstoreandroidandroid marketAndroidMarketangry birdsangry birds rioAngryBirdsAngryBirdsRioappstoreexclusiveExclusivitymarketrioroviorovio mobileRovioMobileMon, 14 Mar 2011 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds nets 50 million downloads, still not enough for a three-star rating]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/angry-birds-nets-50-million-downloads-still-not-enough-for-a-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/angry-birds-nets-50-million-downloads-still-not-enough-for-a-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/14/angry-birds-nets-50-million-downloads-still-not-enough-for-a-th/#comments And yet the pigs go marching on. Rovio's Angry Birds is just over a year old now, and in that time it's racked up 50 million in downloads, with 10 million of those from Android. An impressive number in its own right, and that puts it in a very elite group of gaming franchises that counts Bejeweled (50m) and Legend of Zelda (59m) among its members. (Membership includes fancy jackets and fezzes.) Our guess is that includes the iOS "Lite" version, which does downplay the milestone, but with new versions coming to PC, Mac, and the big three game consoles still on stores shelves -- as well as a sequel -- we doubt that asterisk will matter for long. Watch your ever-propagating back, Tetris.

[Image Credit: Penney Design via Gizmodo]

Angry Birds nets 50 million downloads, still not enough for a three-star rating originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdsmillionmillionsroviosalesTue, 14 Dec 2010 02:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds dev Rovio rolling out in-app payment platform with carrier integration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/angry-birds-dev-rovio-rolling-out-in-app-payment-platform-with-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/angry-birds-dev-rovio-rolling-out-in-app-payment-platform-with-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/angry-birds-dev-rovio-rolling-out-in-app-payment-platform-with-c/#comments We're sure Finnish software shop Rovio is looking for every way imaginable to capitalize on the immense success of the Angry Birds franchise, and part of that will apparently involve in-app purchases, presumably to buy and download additional content on the fly -- but it sounds like they won't be using any third-party frameworks to do that. Instead, the company's putting together its own micropayment framework and partnering up with carriers to cut them in on the profit, turning first to Finnish network Elisa with new content for Angry Birds' Android build in early 2011. Rovio's saying that other developers are going to be welcome to use the system, and that they've seen "strong interest" for the product, presumably over the prospect that carriers will have an opportunity to profit off an app ecosystem that they've been largely shut out of thus far. Frankly, we wouldn't mind paying 99 cents just to get past a couple levels in the original Angry Birds at this point.

Angry Birds dev Rovio rolling out in-app payment platform with carrier integration originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elisafinlandmobilepaymentpaymentsrovioMon, 13 Dec 2010 23:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Rovio feels the burn of Android fragmentation, plans 'light' version of Angry Birds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/19/rovio-feels-the-burn-of-android-fragmentation-plans-light-ver/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/19/rovio-feels-the-burn-of-android-fragmentation-plans-light-ver/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/19/rovio-feels-the-burn-of-android-fragmentation-plans-light-ver/#comments So, it's real after all, huh? Android fragmentation is making its way into the news again, and this time it counts. Rovio, developer of a little-known title called "Angry Birds," has just penned a new blog post detailing the night terrors that have come with coding a single program to work on a cornucopia of platforms. In the weeks since Angry Birds was released to Android users everywhere, the company has been inundated with performance complaints, mostly from users with older / underpowered Android devices or phones using Android 1.6 or earlier. A laundry list of smartphones have now been added to the "unsupported" list (shown in full after the break), but thankfully for you, a "lightweight" version of the game is in the works. According to Rovio, that build won't reduce the number of levels (or amount of fun / frustration, for that matter), but will instead be optimized for dawdling processors and Android versions that have been helplessly malformed by carriers. Nice going, guys.

[Thanks, Justin]

Rovio feels the burn of Android fragmentation, plans 'light' version of Angry Birds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid fragmentationAndroidFragmentationangry birdsAngryBirdsdevdeveloperfragmentationgamesgaminggooglemobile osMobileOsRoviosoftwareFri, 19 Nov 2010 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds spreading to consoles, sequels, feature films]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/angry-birds-spreading-to-consoles-sequels-feature-films/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/angry-birds-spreading-to-consoles-sequels-feature-films/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/16/angry-birds-spreading-to-consoles-sequels-feature-films/#comments
The whole premise seems pretty simple, right? Evil piggies steal eggs, birds get angry, angry birds attack pigs, gamers struggle with addiction. But not so fast: have you ever wondered what the pigs think of all of this? Speaking at the Virtual Goods Summit in London, Rovio CEO Peter Vesterbacka let it drop that there was, indeed, a sequel to Angry Birds in development, going on to say that it would "surprise people. No one has told the story from the pigs point of view." But that ain't all! The company is apparently planning to milk this franchise for all it's worth, a multiplayer game "like old school Worms games" and a Facebook game taking priority, as well as porting the game to PSN, Wii, and Xbox, and some sort of film or TV show. We have to wonder who's going to play the red bird. Please let it be Alan Thicke. This is the best news since we heard there was a possible Asteroids movie in the works!

Angry Birds spreading to consoles, sequels, feature films originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsAngryBirdscinemamoviePeter VesterbackaPeterVesterbackaPSNroviosequelWiiXbox Live ArcadeXboxLiveArcadeTue, 16 Nov 2010 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds developer claims Microsoft jumped the gun, Rovio 'not committed' to Windows Phone 7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/angry-birds-developer-claims-microsoft-jumped-the-gun-rovio-no/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/angry-birds-developer-claims-microsoft-jumped-the-gun-rovio-no/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/angry-birds-developer-claims-microsoft-jumped-the-gun-rovio-no/#comments Software developers make or break a platform, as Microsoft's Steve Ballmer once famously stressed, but that shiny new Windows Phone 7 site has angered a mildly important one. Rovio Mobile, developer of the wildly popular Angry Birds game, tweets that it's presently 'not committed' to bring the game to Windows Phone, and that the above icon is being used in Microsoft marketing completely without permission. While it's possible this is just some sort of mix-up and Rovio just wanted to make its own announcement ("nothing to do with if we do or don't, it's just that we decide that ourselves," the company added in a later tweet), it wouldn't be the first time Microsoft's engaged in shady business to inflate its new app store.

Update: Microsoft sent TechFlash the following statement: "It appears information was mistakenly posted to Microsoft's website, and has been removed." Sure enough, the offending logo is gone now.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Angry Birds developer claims Microsoft jumped the gun, Rovio 'not committed' to Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angry BirdsAngryBirdsgameMicrosoftRovioRovio MobileRovioMobileWindows PhoneWindows Phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WP7Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:09:00 EST<![CDATA[App Review: Angry Birds (Android)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/app-review-angry-birds-android/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/app-review-angry-birds-android/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/app-review-angry-birds-android/#comments What does it take to make an addictive game? Not much -- just throw in some super simple controls, cute graphics, and basic physics. Rovio Mobile's Angry Birds is one such game that includes all these elements, and today the studio's just released a public Android beta to cater those without an iOS, webOS or Maemo 5 device. In case you're not already familiar with the popular title, the backstory is that a gang of hungry pigs snatched away some eggs from the birds, forcing the feathered creatures to embark on a rescue mission for the sake of their survival. The gameplay on the Android version is just as simple as before: in each level you use a fixed slingshot to fling the birds -- one at a time -- into the forts, in order to kill all the pigs inside. As a secondary challenge, you must also attempt to get a three-star rating depending on the amount of structural material you destroy, so the key is to perfect your shooting angle.

At the beginning you're only given one type of bird that does nothing more than just headbutting, but throughout the game you'll come across six more birds, each possessing one special power: multiply, explode, accelerate, dropping egg bombs, boomerang, and extra strength. Don't worry, the instructions are pretty clear when you first meet these enhanced kamikaze birds -- most involve just a single tap anywhere to trigger their special abilities mid-flight. Once you get the hang of it, you'll soon be wanting to try out all sorts of trajectories to take vengeance on those cheeky green hogs. Seriously, the pigs really do laugh at you when your birds miss them.

While we're not familiar with the Maemo 5 and webOS versions of Angry Birds, we've definitely spent a fair amount of time on the iOS flavor. Sadly, since the latter's still running on a low 480 x 320 resolution, the blurred graphics on the notoriously sharp retina display does no justice to the game. On the other hand, the Android version looks a lot prettier on our Nexus One, Dell Streak and HTC Desire, as it runs on their native resolution of 800 x 480. That said, overall the Android beta didn't feel as well-oiled as its iOS counterpart -- we've noticed the occasional light hiccups while panning across the scene, so here's hoping that this will be fixed in the final release. Regardless of this minor flaw, we'd still highly recommend Android users to check out this free Angry Birds beta in the market -- go grab it while it's hot!

Continue reading App Review: Angry Birds (Android)

App Review: Angry Birds (Android) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry birdsAngryBirdsappapp reviewAppReviewgamemaemomaemo 5Maemo5reviewroviorovio mobileRovioMobilevideoFri, 03 Sep 2010 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rovio finds new purpose in life with fire extinguisher mod]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/rovio-finds-new-purpose-in-life-with-fire-extinguisher-mod/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/rovio-finds-new-purpose-in-life-with-fire-extinguisher-mod/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/rovio-finds-new-purpose-in-life-with-fire-extinguisher-mod/#comments
The Rovio may not have inspired quite the same level of modding as something like the Robosapien, but it's far from completely lacking in the department, and RoboCommunity member Colt45 looks to have delivered one of the more impressive hacks to date with this new and improved fire extinguisher bot. As impressive as that top-mounted CF2ClBr fire extinguisher and remote-controlled nozzle is, however, the real standout piece may actually be the software, which apparently uses a machine vision app that can recognize fire and automatically extinguish it when necessary (assuming it remains around candle size). Unfortunately, there's no how-to for building your own just yet, nor is there any word of a planned face off with a Flame-o-Sapien, though you can be sure we'll let you know as soon as that happens.

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under:

Rovio finds new purpose in life with fire extinguisher mod originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyfirefire extinguisherFireExtinguisherhackhacksmodmodsroviorovio modRovioModThu, 30 Apr 2009 06:49:00 EST<![CDATA[New app turns iPhone / iPod touch into Rovio controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/new-app-turns-iphone-ipod-touch-into-rovio-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/new-app-turns-iphone-ipod-touch-into-rovio-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/new-app-turns-iphone-ipod-touch-into-rovio-controller/#comments
Rovio owners have been able to control their all-seeing sentry bot from their iPhone (or any other internet-connected device) from day one using WowWee's browser-based interface, but one enterprising individual apparently found that a tad lacking for his taste, so he decided to take things one big step further by building his own full-fledged iPhone / iPod touch app. In addition to giving you a larger view of the Rovio's webcam feed, the app achieves the inevitable by letting you use the iPhone or iPod touch's accelerometer to control the Rovio, which should let you give your Wiimote a rest for a while. Better still, the app is free -- you know where to get.

Filed under:

New app turns iPhone / iPod touch into Rovio controller originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneiphone appIphoneAppipod touchipod touch appIpodTouchIpodTouchApproviowowweeFri, 14 Nov 2008 15:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Robodance enables Wiimote control of your WowWee Rovio]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/robodance-enables-wiimote-control-of-your-wowwee-rovio/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/robodance-enables-wiimote-control-of-your-wowwee-rovio/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/robodance-enables-wiimote-control-of-your-wowwee-rovio/#comments
Ah, Robodance -- how would we entertain ourselves without you? Just under a year ago, the software enabled robot lovers everywhere to control their i-SOBOT with an everyday Wiimote. Now, the same ability has been handed down for WowWee's Rovio. You heard right, the latest, baddest robotic sentry on the block can now be dictated with your Nintendo Wii controller, and you can even customize your own button assignments to suit your fancy. Hop on past the break for the demonstration vid.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading Robodance enables Wiimote control of your WowWee Rovio

Filed under: , ,

Robodance enables Wiimote control of your WowWee Rovio originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controlRobodanceRoviovideoWiimoteWowWeeTue, 14 Oct 2008 21:22:00 EST<![CDATA[WowWee's Rovio gets reviewed: it's one awesome robotic sentry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/05/wowwees-rovio-gets-reviewed-its-one-awesome-robotic-sentry/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/05/wowwees-rovio-gets-reviewed-its-one-awesome-robotic-sentry/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/05/wowwees-rovio-gets-reviewed-its-one-awesome-robotic-sentry/#comments
WowWee goes out of its way to make one thing very clear about the Rovio: "this is not a toy." That being said, it doesn't make the patrolling sentry any less fantastic, as critics over at Robots-Dreams proclaimed that it was "intuitive and a pleasure to use from the moment you first open the box." From the painless setup process to the unparalleled mobility, reviewers sounded like they were grinning from ear-to-ear during the entire writeup process. It performed its robotic sentry duties with vigor and valor, and the review crew couldn't help but note that this bugger was "positioned to be the hottest robot for the upcoming holiday season, and for a long time to come." In other words, if you've been on the fence about dropping three bills on this thing, all your worries about it potentially sucking just got thrashed.

Filed under:

WowWee's Rovio gets reviewed: it's one awesome robotic sentry originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomoushands-onimpressionsreviewreviewedrobotic sentryRoboticSentryroviosentryspyspyingvideowowweeSun, 05 Oct 2008 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[WowWee's patrolling Rovio gets unboxed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/wowwees-patrolling-rovio-gets-unboxed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/wowwees-patrolling-rovio-gets-unboxed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/wowwees-patrolling-rovio-gets-unboxed/#comments
WowWee's Rovio isn't due to start shipping to the general populace for a few days still, but the mighty important folks over at RobotsRule were somehow able to procure one a hair early. Thankfully for us, it took the time to neatly unbox this home sentry and give us an up-close look at what it's made of. A full-fledged review is promised within the next few days, but for now, just hit the read link and enjoy the shots.

Filed under:

WowWee's patrolling Rovio gets unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guardhome securityHomeSecuritypicspicturesrobotic sentryRoboticSentryroviosecuritysentryunboxunboxedunboxingwowweeMon, 22 Sep 2008 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[WowWee's $300 Rovio robotic sentry ships this month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/wowwees-rovio-robotic-sentry-ships-this-month/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/wowwees-rovio-robotic-sentry-ships-this-month/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/wowwees-rovio-robotic-sentry-ships-this-month/#comments
The Rovio -- one of WowWee's finest if we should say so ourselves -- is finally ready to roam around domiciles and keep baddies at bay. First announced (and spotted) at CES 2008, this long-awaited robotic sentry is up for pre-order right now, and it comes packing a 640 x 480 webcam to stream back live video in MPEG4 format. Furthermore, it can snap stills, head out on a customized patrol route and avoid obstacles with its infrared sensor. Get ready -- this sheriff's rolling into your town next Friday for $299.95.

[Via Random-Good-Stuff, thanks Juergen]

Filed under:

WowWee's $300 Rovio robotic sentry ships this month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>availableguardhome securityHomeSecuritynow availablenow shippingNowAvailableNowShippingrobotrobotic sentryRoboticSentryRoviosecurityshipshippingshipswowweeFri, 19 Sep 2008 14:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: hanging with WowWee's WiFi-enabled Rovio]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/video-hanging-with-wowwees-wifi-enabled-rovio/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/video-hanging-with-wowwees-wifi-enabled-rovio/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/video-hanging-with-wowwees-wifi-enabled-rovio/#comments
Mahalo Daily's Veronica Belmont caught up with Davin Sufer, WowWee's CTO, for an up-close look at the new WiFi-enabled Rovio bot -- and it looks pretty sweet. Users control the Rovio through any browser, and the interface includes full-motion video from the built-in camera, which can be aimed up and down to eas navigation. Check the full video after the break!

Continue reading Video: hanging with WowWee's WiFi-enabled Rovio

Filed under:

Video: hanging with WowWee's WiFi-enabled Rovio originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESces 2008Ces2008engadget videoEngadgetVideofeaturesrovioWowwweeSun, 06 Jan 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[WowWee introduces Mr. Personality, Rovio, and Flytech Bladestar]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/05/wowwee-introduces-mr-personality-rovio-and-flytech-bladestar/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/05/wowwee-introduces-mr-personality-rovio-and-flytech-bladestar/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/05/wowwee-introduces-mr-personality-rovio-and-flytech-bladestar/#comments
WowWee's CES robot lineup is here, so let's get to it. First up, you've got the Flytech Bladestar, a slightly crazier take on the indoor RC flying gig actually intended for duels with friends. The Bladestart has two spinning wings and stabilizing rotors to keep it steady while aloft, as well as wall and ceiling IR sensors.

Rovio is a "home exploration and telepresence" robot (meaning it doesn't do very much), featuring WiFi, a remotely-controlled directional webcam capable of streaming audio and video, self-docking and recharging, and "NorthStar" AI navigation (which WowWee describes as a micro-GPS like system that makes Rovio aware of its surroundings with "pinpoint accuracy").

If neither of those caught your fancy, we think the ironically anthropomorphized Mr. Personality might meet you in the middle. Featuring an LCD facial readout, downloadable personalities (via USB and SD), Ruxpin-esque story and joke telling and "conversation", as well as the usual IR and audio sensors.

Gallery: WowWee introduces Mr. Personality, Rovio, and Flytech Bladestar

Filed under:

WowWee introduces Mr. Personality, Rovio, and Flytech Bladestar originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BladestarCESces 2008Ces2008FlytechMr. PersonalityMr.PersonalityRovioWowWeeSat, 05 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST