charm
Latest
Microsoft Touch Mouse gets promised Windows 8 support, works like a Charm
Microsoft vowed that its Touch Mouse would get Windows 8 support in time for the software's big release day, and it's being very true to its word by posting the relevant update with less than a week to go. Mouse and Keyboard Center 2.0 saves time for those not graced with a touchscreen by introducing multi-touch swipes that bring up Windows 8's Charm bar, switch between active apps and invoke Semantic Zoom. Will the Touch Mouse update trick you into thinking you have a Surface? No, but it's certainly much easier on the wallet.
Google gives a sneak peek at Chrome for Windows 8's Metro UI, plans a test release soon
Google vowed that it would adapt Chrome to Metro back in March, and it's just now providing its first real look at the Windows 8 revamp. Don't expect a radical remake: it's Chrome, just in Metro. Even so, the very first test releases will support charms for sharing and other cross-OS features, and they will obey Snap View for tablet-friendly Windows 8 multitasking. Metro support will come in the next Dev channel release for those using the Windows 8 Release Preview. Those of us leery of running a pre-beta web browser on top of a beta OS will have to wait some months to see the finished result. That patience should be rewarded through better touchscreen support and refinements to the overall interface, so by the time the dissenting among us are ready to toss Internet Explorer 10 aside, Chrome will be waiting with open arms.
League of Legends releases Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox
Back in September, Riot Games was so excited about an upcoming League of Legends champion it had barely begun working on that it released the concept to fans far ahead of schedule. The champion later became known as Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox, and last week we got a sneak peek at her abilities and the balance changes that would be accompanying her arrival. That patch went live this weekend, and Ahri has now been officially released. In a new champion spotlight video, LoL's resident strategic expert Phreak discusses each of Ahri's abilities in detail and gives tips on playing the champion effectively. Ahri is a mage assassin, able to dish out considerable damage in a short space of time. After landing a number of spell attacks, Ahri's next spell will hit with a huge bonus to spell vamp. By sending an Orb of Deception through a whole wave of enemy creeps once the spell vamp buff is active, Ahri can heal herself for a significant amount. Her ultimate allows her to quickly dash around the field of play, either to chase down a fleeing champion or evade pursuit. Skip past the cut to watch the full champion spotlight video in HD, and stay tuned to our weekly Not So Massively column every Monday for more LoL news and updates.
HTC Rhyme with Sense 3.5 hands-on (video)
We're here at HTC's swank New York City press event where the mood lighting and floral centerpieces are as unabashedly girly as the Rhyme, its newest handset for lady folk. We just spent a few minutes wrapping our hands around the device, exploring the ports (not that there are many) and poking around the latest version of Sense (v3.5). Do you like purple? Are you a person of style? Sure you are. So what are you waiting for? Meet us after the break where we'll run down our first impressions and see what this thing has to offer beside that cute design. %Gallery-134392%
Motorola Charm and Flipout follow CLIQ XT's lead, get stuck in the past
Look: we've seen enough Honeycomb ports to the G1 to know that even the jankiest Android hardware can be kept current -- manufacturers just need to want to do it badly enough. In Motorola's case, it seems they don't want it very badly -- at least, not in the case of the quirky Flipout and Charm. Just as the CLIQ XT got stuck on 1.5, the two diminutive QWERTY models are going to be topping out with the Android 2.1 that they've got now; Froyo upgrades aren't in the works, according to Moto's official software update page. We're sure that the decision whether to invest the time, energy, and money into an update for a particular model comes down to the number of customers affected; neither of these devices seem to be blockbusters for their respective carriers, so that could explain it. Not much consolation to owners, though, is it?
Motorola Charm up for grabs at T-Mobile today
How perfectly punctual: the Motorola Charm has popped up on T-Mobile's website right on time and right on the money. While today marks the first day the Charm has been ready for online purchase, we've actually been hearing from a few folks that they've been available here and there since the weekend -- so if you already have it in your pocket, well played. Pricing's looking more than decent with Golden Bronze Charm ending up only drawing $75 from your pockets after a $120 instant discount and a $75 mail-in rebate. Not too shabby for what appears to be a straight-up great messaging set in a mostly unique form-factor for Android. Enjoy the purchase and do let us know how you get on with it. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Motorola Charm hitting T-Mobile on August 25 for $75 (update: Telus version caught on video!)
T-Mobile USA just dropped the knowledge on Twitter that it'll be carrying the Motorola Charm starting next Wednesday, August 25 -- but what it failed to mention is pricing. For what it's worth, the company does specifically say that it'll be "affordable" -- and although a marketing department's definition of "affordable" can be very different from ours, we're encouraged by a handful of previous rumors that there would be ways to get it for free on contract. If you need us to jog your memory, the Charm is a cute little portrait QWERTY Android device with a Kodak-branded 3 megapixel cam and landscape display, giving it a rare form factor that could very well appeal to a whole new audience (read: BlackBerry folks). So, how much would you pay for it? Update: Turns out Moto's posted on its official Facebook page that it'll run $74.99 on contract -- not free, unfortunately, and in the age of free Pixi Pluses, that might be a tough pill to swallow. We've also been handed a video of Telus demonstrating its version of the Charm, which should look and work exactly the same -- check it out after the break. Thanks, Matt and DeadMan!
TUAW's Daily App: Gravity Runner
Gravity Runner is a little game put together by a group called We Are Colin -- it's a side-scrolling platformer with, as the name implies, a gravity defying twist. The idea is that after tapping to jump as your little character runs along, you can tap again to switch his gravity, and start running on the ceiling rather than the floor. As you might expect, the game gets tough fast -- not only is the speed uncontrollable (the game is somewhat forgiving, as hitting obstacles will usually get your guy to stop rather than actually kill him), but the jumping is kind of "floaty," requiring split-second timing even early on in the game's 25 plus stages. There's also an endless mode to play with, and OpenFeint functionality adds leaderboards and achievements to the mix as well. Gravity Runner isn't really playing around -- just a few stages in, you'll have to depend on both quick timing and a little bit of thought about which way your guy is headed. But it's an excellent platformer that eventually turns into a puzzle game, as you try to see just how to get your character jumping up where he needs to be. At its current price of just 99 cents, Gravity Runner has a nice retro charm that's worth the buck.
Motorola Charm pops up on Best Buy for $250, hopefully off contract
We've seen rumors that T-Mobile was considering pleasantly inexpensive ways to get the Charm when it's released, so we're not really worried that we're looking at Best Buy's on-contract pricing here -- after all, $250 sounds about right when you take into account a $200-ish subsidy and a $50 rebate. Anyhow, the biggest box of them all has posted its product page for the cute little portrait QWERTY Android munchkin, promising it's "coming soon" but offering little else in the way of details. Is it just us, or is this a strangely exciting release? [Thanks, Eli]
T-Mobile's Motorola Charm to go for a big, fat zilch on family plan activations?
The poster here that we've received today kind of speaks for itself, we'd say. By all appearances, it seems that T-Mobile intends to continue its tradition of making family plans attractive with blowout handset pricing -- and the next model to get the free treatment will be Motorola's upcoming Charm featuring Android packed into a form factor that you rarely (well, never see) for the platform. Realistically, $100 is probably the high end of the reasonable range for something with the Charm's specs, but at $0, it's a downright bargain compared to the typical free-on-contract dumbphone fare. Now let's just extend this offer to non-family plans, T-Mobile -- and go ahead and make it permanent while you're at it. [Thanks, Justfinethanku]
Motorola Charm official for T-Mobile: portrait QWERTY Android at long last
The rumored Charm has just gotten a proper unveiling from Motorola -- and while it's not getting nearly the media fanfare its Droid X corporate cousin did, it's arguably even more unique. The phone features a full portrait QWERTY keyboard placed directly below a 2.8-inch landscape touchscreen, but for most operations, you don't have to touch it if you don't want to because you've also got a touchpad mounted on the back of the phone (the so-called "Backtrack") much like AT&T's Backflip. Not only is this the first widely-launched Android phone to employ such a form factor, it's also the first to run Android 2.1 with Blur -- and interestingly, they've carried over the old version's general look and feel rather than going with the Droid X's updated skin. It's got a 3 megapixel camera (with Kodak co-branding, something we haven't seen on a Moto in a long time), WiFi, and a noise-canceling second microphone. Pricing and availability haven't been announced, but T-Mobile customers can expect it "this Summer."
Motorola Charm spotted in the wild, said to be hitting T-Mobile later this month
We'd already had a pretty good indication that the Motorola Charm was headed to T-Mobile, but it looks like most doubt has now been put to rest -- TmoNews has what appears to be the first shot of the phone in the wild, and evidence that materials (with the name "Project Basil') are already arriving at T-Mobile stores. Unfortunately, there's not much new information otherwise, but the site's tipster has apparently confirmed that the phone does indeed have a Backflip-like touchpad on the rear and that the screen is around 3-inches. Still no word on an exact release date, but TmoNews says it should be rolling out by the end of the month.
Motorola Charm spotted in T-Mobile ad, free on contract for back-to-schoolers?
Advertising a product before it's even official, what could be more patriotic? TmoNews has a convincing (but still unconfirmed) picture of a T-Mobile "Back to School" poster featuring Samsung :), Gravity T, Gravity 3, and... Motorola Charm? Looks like our chubby, Motoblur-equipped candybar has been given an air of legitimacy, even more than the previous leak. What's also interesting is the price -- as part of the promotion, Charm is apparently free on contract (seems to be T-Mo's special of choice, these days). Can't say with any certainty what that means for the cost of the phone after this season's school craze dies down -- the Gravity 3, for example, is usually $80 with a two-year agreement -- but it can't be much longer now before we get the skinny on this square. Hit up the source for full picture.
Motorola Charm coming to T-Mobile with 'enhanced' Android 2.1 Motoblur? Update promised for CLIQ and CLIQ XT?
Usual rules apply -- we can't independently confirm this at the moment -- but a tipster has sent us what appears to be T-Mobile training materials for an upcoming Motoblur-infused candybar smartphone, the Motorola Charm. Only this Motoblur is allegedly powered by Android 2.1 and boasts the same scalable widgets as we saw on Droid X, in addition to improved Facebook / Twitter integration (hello, Like and Retweet) and the usual Eclair refinements.As far as the hardware is concerned, there isn't much to glean from it at this point, aside from a textured QWERTY keyboard reminiscent of the CLIQ and a "camera" button denoting some form of memory-capturing capabilities. Speaking of which, the materials mention that the enhanced Motoblur is heading to CLIQ and CLIQ XT. Let us bookend this entire post with another reminder that none of this is confirmed, but we do know more than a few T-Mobile users who would love to get their mitts on a candybar Android. %Gallery-96395% [Thanks, Anonymous]
World of WarCrafts: Character charms
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts.Until now, this charming technique has been a well-kept secret, passed down through the ages to only the most devoted crafters and dark magicians. Use the knowledge contained herein to fabricate your very own WoW Trinkets. Here is what you will need: Shrinky Dink paper Ink-Jet Color Printer Image Editing Software Scissors (tiny manicure scissors work best for me) Clear Acrylic Spray Jump Ring Jewelry Pliers Brown Paper Bag Foil Click on the images below to view a gallery of step-by-step instructions. %Gallery-30631%
Representin' the N64
Okay, so maybe the N64 wasn't the best console Nintendo ever put out, but we have some fond memories of hours poured into the system's best games. Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye, Super Smash Bros. ... ah, yes. How we loved you all. In fact, when we noticed this controller charm, we couldn't help but sniffle a little. Sure, it's ... um ... plasticky, but it's hell of 90s, and it still evokes those happy memories. Our controllers were never that shiny, though.
Tiny Nintendo charms do just that
Craftster pixidance may not have been entirely happy with these little clay charms, but we sure are. Each charm is only about half an inch in diameter, which means pixidance might want to attach them to something before they roll away and disappear forever into the dark realm of the couch or something.Bob-ombs have been popular over there lately, but who can blame Nintendo crafters? They're just so explosive.
Lon Lon Milk refills hearts of brave adventurers
If you've had a nasty run-in with an Octorok recently, or got in a scrape with a Stalfos, then there's only one thing for it, dear reader: you need Lon Lon Milk, and you need it fast.And right now, your nearest vendor is none other than Etsy user tiffanybell, whose Lon Lon Milk Bottle charms come packed with heart-filling, nutritious* Lon Lon Milk.Yours for a paltry 20 Rupees three bucks.* Probably.
Tell us about 'yer lucky charms!
So we've all had time to get used to the "lucky charms" icons for parties and (more commonly) raid targets. At first, I'll admit that they were a real source of confusion to me, but before very long I was extremely used to them. Since then, my guild uses them almost every chance we get, right down to harassing each other with them. Of course, now that I'm used to seeing and using them when running raids, I can't help but wonder how we ever got along without them in the first place. Those little icons have just made things so much more simple from a targeting aspect. (Of course, you should be targeting off your main assist, or other assigned assist if you're not the tank or MA, but the raid icons do help all that along...) This post on the World of Warcraft LJ today asking about what kind of raiding symbols are commonly used made me stop and wonder if there is really a somewhat "standard" icon used by many guilds and raiding groups for first target. However, as there are only a handful of answers there, I thought I'd bounce this question off everyone here and try to get a broader sampling -- just for curiosity's sake. So, tell us -- what are the "kill this first" icons for your guild or raiding group? Does your guild/group have pet names (like "thong") for some of the raid target icons? How about whether or not your raiding group uses them for other than marking kill/CC/tank targets, such as the one player who says that skull is used for people in trouble? My guild favors Skull for main assist, X for off-tank or second kill target, depending. From there, it's blue square for the Main Tank's target, purple diamond is sap target, thong and moon are CC targets. How about you?
Metal working meets gaming
Reader John, who is a metal working champion, made this for someone else from sterling silver. He says it was his first attempt and he plans on making more, which is a notion we can't help but support. The world needs more Game Boys, whether they be functional or not.See also: Game Boy coin purse is as charming as the real system
